With a new year comes renewed hope for our future, as individuals, families, communities and as a nation. The timing could not be better for us to “Start Something” to make a difference.

Last year’s release of the film, “Waiting for Superman,” was a sobering wake-up call that our nation faces a crisis, which is draining productivity and already limited resources. As we grapple for solutions - more funding for schools, better training for teachers, more involvement from parents - research points to something that we know works, at least as part of the solution - quality mentoring.

Long-standing independent studies widely quoted by mentoring advocates and programs find children enrolled in Big Brothers Big Sisters’ long-term mentoring programs are more likely than their peers to earn higher grades and are less likely to skip classes and school days, factors linked to high school graduation. Not surprisingly, the same studies find children in these long-term quality mentoring programs are also more likely than their peers to avoid violent and unhealthy behaviors and more likely to have positive relationships with their parents and others.

This month, as we celebrate the 10th anniversary of National Mentoring Month, we want to thank our volunteers, donors, community partners - and all of the individuals and businesses that allow us to help children reach their full potential.

We are also urging adults to Start Something to help kids succeed in and out of school. By going to www.bbbswashtenaw.org, you can pledge to do what works for you - from donating to helping plan events, to volunteering - to help children beat the odds.

Big Brothers Big Sisters believes we can all Start Something to make our nation stronger by supporting families, schools and communities to get kids on the right track. It doesn’t take much - just a simple pledge. What better time than now to Start Something? For more information on how you can help, email: info@bbbswashtenaw.org. Jennifer Spitler, Executive Director Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washtenaw Co. Ann Arbor